It’s been almost a year since fans learned that a Downton Abbey film was in the works. We’ve been biding our time and patiently waiting, and finally — finally! — the official trailer is here.
Slated for release on Sept. 20, the film from Focus Features is directed by Michael Engler and written by Julian Fellowes. After a lot of initial speculation, most of the original cast is returning for the film, including Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley), Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith), Jim Carter (Carson), Brendan Coyle (Bates), Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary), Joanne Froggatt (Anna), Robert James-Collier (Thomas), Allen Leech (Tom), Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley), Tuppence Middleton (Lucy), Dame Maggie Smith (Dowager Countess), and more. Whew.
Set roughly a year after the series’ end, the movie centers on a pending visit — of the royal variety— to Downton. Mhmm, yes: King George and Queen Mary are making a somewhat surprise visit, and the cast is all aflutter as they try to ready the manor.
Mrs. Pattmore says it best in the trailer:
A royal luncheon, a parade, and a dinner?! I’m going to have to sit down!
Same, girl. Same. Between the Dowager Countess’ sarcasm and Lady Mary and Carson’s adorable friendship, it’s hard to choose a favorite part of the trailer. That’s too much pressure. What I do know is that September cannot get here soon enough.
Take a look at the full official trailer below.
If you now have all the feels and *need* more Downton in your life, you’re in luck! To celebrate the trailer’s release, Fellowes held a Q&A on Twitter this morning, answering fans questions about the film and sharing some of his personal faves. He artfully (and rather disappointingly) dodged the more scandalous questions, but you get a bit of insight nonetheless. Check out a sampling below, and head to Twitter to see more.
Hello, Julian Fellowes here. Hope you enjoyed the trailer. Excited to answer all your #DowntonAbbeyFilm questions. #AskJulianFellowes pic.twitter.com/VQZCP6kGkP
— Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) May 21, 2019
I think Sybil because she was the first to die and the first of the running cast to leave the series. It was very emotional, they filmed her last scene and everyone was in sobs. When she died, I cried, but I said to myself, “What did you think was going to happen? You wrote it.” https://t.co/X7mt6akGdZ
— Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) May 21, 2019
I got interested in history when I was really young, and because I was young, a lot of people were still alive. My eldest great aunt was born in 1880, I talked to her about life before WW1. I’m fortunate because I had information from these times, which would be hard to get now. https://t.co/d8Lm7IpvOh
— Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) May 21, 2019
Well people always ask, and I never tell. I think it’s like asking a mother who’s their favorite child, and I don’t think it's right to say a preference. They are all my babies and I love them all equally. #AskJulianFellowes https://t.co/tBgiz0RKC1
— Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) May 21, 2019
Photo: Focus Features
